Swami Vivekanand International School (Borivli) put in a dominant performance with a purpose as they beat St Anne's High School (Malad) by an innings and 501 runs in the Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) Harris Shield Elite Division boys' U-16 inter-school cricket tournament at Azad Maidan yesterday. The team later dedicated the win to their late coach Mahesh Raut, who passed away following a cardiac arrest on January 3 in Bordi.

Electing to bat, the Borivli school declared their innings after posting a mammoth 604-4. Hem Patel played the skipper's role to perfecting with an all-round performance of 156 runs and taking 11 wickets (6-12 in the 1st innings and 5-18 in the 2nd) in the match. SVIS's wicketkeeper batsman, Vighnesh Kharge's double century — 245-ball 238 — was the other highlight of SVIS's show.

St Anne's managed only a paltry 41 runs in the first innings and 62 in the second innings. "It was an emotional time for us. We did not expect to be playing our first Elite Division match of the season without Raut sir. He was more of a friend than a coach. We decide to put in our best for his sake and begin the season well," said 15-year-old Hem.

Mahesh Raut

Vighnesh, the son of former Railways Ranji trophy player Srikanth Kharge, recalled a message from his late coach that inspired him to do well. "Raut sir used to tell us that Mumbai selectors always took notice of Harris Shield performances.

He always told me that I should try and convert my 100s to 200s. I did that today, but sadly he was not around to watch me play," said 14-year-old Vighnesh. Meanwhile, at Cross Maidan, riding on Shoaib Siddique's 278, Rizvi Springfield beat Chatrabhuj Narsee School (Juhu) by an innings and 432 runs.